Ardbrandsche, Klein Hasselsven and Borkelsche Heide Loop

This is a long, almost perfectly flat heath-and-woods circuit through the Dutch–Belgian border landscapes of Natuurgrenspark De Groote Heide around Valkenswaard and the hamlets of Borkel & Schaft. Expect a steady rhythm of sandy forest tracks, open heath, and wet “ven” ponds—easy on the lungs, but potentially demanding on the feet if you hit long stretches of loose sand or waterlogged path.

• Distance: ~35 km (≈21.7 mi)
  
• Elevation gain: ~0 m (≈0 ft) — any “ups and downs” are tiny dune-like ripples rather than real climbs
  
• Difficulty (real-world): Easy fitness-wise, but plan for a full day because 35 km is long even on flat ground
  
• Best seasons: Late summer for heather bloom; spring for birds and fresh greens; winter can be very wet/muddy in low areas

Where the hike starts (nearest known place)

Your most practical start area is near Borkel & Schaft (Valkenswaard, North Brabant)—a common gateway into the surrounding heaths and vennen. A reliable “known landmark” to anchor your navigation is the village area around Dorpsstraat, 5556 VL, Valkenswaard (Borkel & Schaft), which appears as a route point for local walking routes in this landscape. (routiq.com)

If you’re building the route in HiiKER, use that village center area (Borkel & Schaft) as your start/finish and stitch the loop to include the three named areas (Ardbrandsche, Klein Hasselsven, Borkelsche Heide).

Getting to the start

By car - Aim for Borkel & Schaft (Valkenswaard) and park in/near the village where signed access points lead into the surrounding nature areas. This region sits within the broader De Groote Heide border nature park, which is designed to be approached from multiple sides with several suggested parking/start points. (degrooteheide.eu)

By public transport - The wider De Groote Heide area is served by regular buses from Eindhoven and Valkenswaard, with stops near smaller reserves that form part of the park. From Valkenswaard, you can walk or connect onward toward Borkel & Schaft to begin the loop. (degrooteheide.eu)

What the terrain feels like over 35 km

You’ll be moving through a classic Kempen/Brabant border mosaic: - Heathland: open, wind-exposed, with low shrubs and big skies - Pine/birch woodland: sheltering, straight tracks, occasional soft sand - Vennen (ponds) and wet hollows: the “Klein Hasselsven” portion is the kind of place where the ground can turn spongy and the air feels cooler and damper near the water

Because the loop is essentially flat, pacing is straightforward—your main variables are surface (sand vs firm track) and wetness (mud/standing water near vennen).

A practical way to break the day (approximate)

These are planning chunks rather than exact waypoints (your exact distances will depend on how HiiKER draws the loop between the three named areas):

• 0–8 km (0–5 mi): Settling in through woods and track edges
  Typically the easiest walking of the day: firm forest roads, wide paths, and a gentle warm-up. If it’s been dry, you may start encountering sandy patches that slow your stride.

• 8–18 km (5–11 mi): Heathland openness + long sightlines
  This is where you’ll feel the character of the region: broad, open stretches and a sense of space typical of De Groote Heide’s border landscapes. Valkenswaard is known for being surrounded by multiple nature reserves within this large park system, so it’s common to transition between “rooms” of heath and forest without noticing a hard boundary. (visitvalkenswaard.nl)

• **18–27 km (11